Monday, July 21, 2014

Gaza

Letter to my MP: Israeli bombardment of Palestine
I am very disturbed by recent events in Gaza, including the bombing of a hospital, and the fact that one-fifth of those killed by Israel's bombardment of Gaza were children.

Once again Gaza is under massive aerial bombardment from Israeli warplanes and drones, and Gaza is under Israeli occupation and siege.

Israel is bombing a refugee population – Palestinians who were made refugees when they were forced from their land in 1948 in order to create Israel.

Repeated posturing by western governments that Hamas are terrorists, used to "justify" the bombardment and oppression of the Palestinians, is totally unacceptable. Gaza has no army, air force, or navy, while Israel possess one of the strongest militaries in the world.

These events flow from the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the Palestinian people from their homes and communities, with millions now corralled as refugees in the Gaza Strip. That initial injustice was compounded and continues with the ongoing occupation and siege.

Resistance to occupation is a right under international law. Israel’s occupation, siege and collective punishment of Gaza is not.

I wish to state that any support, whether military or political, from the UK government, towards the state of Israel, is not in my name.

I would like to see the UK government calling for an immediate ceasefire, and meaningful talks between Israel and the Palestinians. This would mean restoring the water sources, land, and other resources taken away from the Palestinians, and an end to the oppressive policies towards them, restricting their human rights and freedom of movement.
Many Palestinians and Israelis are tired of fighting and want to live in peace with each other. This bloody conflict must end.

Please do everything in your power to persuade the government to broker a ceasefire and talks.

5 comments:

Yewtree said...

Reply received from my MP:

Thank you for your email about the recent events in Gaza. The casualties are appalling and I support an immediate ceasefire.

Any ceasefire must be followed by immediate steps to lift the blockade of Gaza, which I have raised many times with the Government, and an end to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

I strongly welcome this week’s statements by Labour Leader Ed Miliband and Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, which have made clear that Labour’s policy is not only to call for an immediate ceasefire, but to press for an end to the blockade of Gaza and the military occupation of the West Bank.

I have written to the Foreign Secretary taking up the points you have raised, pressing the urgent need for a ceasefire, and progress to a just and lasting peace. I will get back to you as soon as I receive a reply.

Steve Hayes said...

Well said.

But war seems to be so fashionable among the ruling classes nowadays that I doubt anyone will pay attention.

Yewtree said...

Thank you.

It seemed important to express my dismay at the situation, even if it has a negligible effect. "Not in my name".

I think war has always been in fashion with the ruling classes, sadly.

Steve Hayes said...

Yes, it has always been fashionable, but there are times when they make an extra-special effort, such as July-August 1914 and 2014.

Steve Hayes said...

Nearly a year! Time for another post!